For local legend Rich Chew, the Southern California way of life was perfect.
Checking out the good looking ladies while lifeguarding during summers, then off to Hawaii to surf in the winters.

Of course, flights to Hawaii back in the day were only $99. And gas was a whopping 50 cents.

The former San Clemente lifeguard, who still surfs five days a week, recalls being able to drive down Pacific Coast Highway and know everyone on the beach. 

Chew – like many of his fellow honorees – recalled the good ol’ days during the Surfing Walk of Fame ceremony in front of Jack’s Surf Shop, an awards ceremony now in its 15th year. 

First to speak at the ceremony was National Scholastic Surfing Association’s executive director Janice Aragon, accepting a place on the honor roll for the group. The group is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, but started during a much different time in history.

“Surfers were stereotyped as typical beach bums,” she said of the ’70s. The association was determined to team the sport with scholastics and change the tainted image. Everyone competing was required to be in school with passing grades, and many surf champions tout these competitions as their start to stardom.

Surf culture inductee Drew Kampion became the first journalist to have his name placed on the sidewalk.

“Surfers are the most unique, collective tribe I’ve ever observed on Earth,” he said.

A lot has changed since he first started documenting surfers decades ago. Shortboards hit the scene. Buildings went up.

But despite all the major surf shops that have emerged and even though the face of the city has changed, one thing has stayed the same.

“When you look out at the water here, it’s still Huntington,” he said.  

Lynn Boyer, who made her name on the waves in Hawaii back in the ’70s, is this year’s woman inductee.

“To see where surfing has come since those pioneering days … I have chicken skin just being here today,” she said. “This is an important event to keep history alive.”

From a woman’s perspective, much has changed in the line up. Thirty years ago, she was often the only girl in the water.

“Now sometimes we outnumber the guys,” she said.

At the end of her speech, Boyer seemed lost for words, but then found something simple to sum it all up:

“Keep surfing.”
 Also honored were surf champion Andy Irons, who couldn’t attend the ceremony, and surf pioneer Buzzy Trent, who passed away in 2006.

Don’t forget to show up across the street at 10 a.m. on Friday at the corner of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway for the Surfers’ Hall of Fame event. Those to be honored include: Mike Parsons (Big wave surfer), Brad Gerlach (Big wave surfer), Sean Collins (creator of Surfline.com), and Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew (former World Champion, president of ASP).

More on U.S. Open:
Parking tip: More than 400,000 people show up throughout the weekend for the event, so get there early because spaces are scarce after 10 a.m.
Highlight events:
Surfing: Women’s finals at 2:25 p.m. Saturday; Men’s finals at 3:05 p.m. Sunday
They Will Surf Again Expression Session: Life Rolls On brings paralyzed surfers into the water to catch some waves at 1:50 p.m. Saturday.
Transworld Surf Jungle: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. More than 100 sponsors set up shops, and if you’re lucky, you can nab free swag.
S3 Supergirl Jam: 3-day all female event with more than 100 top athletes. Snowboarding event with snow on a ramp Sunday at 10 a.m.
Soul Bowl: Some of the best skateboarders and BMX riders
FMX Airshow: Motocross riders bust out crazy flips and maneuvers Friday through Sunday.
Corona Stand Up Paddle Surf Challenge: New this year is the latest sport to hit the surf scene, stand up paddle. Competition is at 1:20 p.m. on Sunday

For live coverage of the U.S. Open of Surfing, click here. For a downloadable map with more parking tips and events, click here. Also check out the Vogue Teen Fashion show and performance from Hellogoodbye. Click here for more on that.

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